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We (3 couples) are planning a short trip to the Dales. We (2 couples) arrive by plane in Manchester, then plan to go to Settle to recoup. The 3rd couple will be joining us from York. We have four nights planned in Settle. We prefer not to rent a car, so wonder if 4 nights in Settle will give us the flexibility to explore by bus/train throughout the area. Or is there another base location that is more convenient to explore by public transport? The other option would be to stay two nights in one town and the other two nights elsewhere in the Dales. We will then travel to York after this short excursion. We like to see historic sites, walk and visit the pubs! Thanks for your help!

Settle is as good a place as any in the Dales without a car. Public transport in the Dales can be slow, patchy or just plain non existent and a car would open up so many different opportunities. But if you don't want to rent then personally I'd stay in Settle for 4 nights rather than have the upheaval of transporting everything by public transport after 2 days.

You don't say when you are travelling but some public services stop or run a reduced service during the winter months. Also it can be bitterly cold, even in summer, so bring warm and waterproof outdoor clothes/shoes if you are planning to do some walking.

Thanks for your reply. It is good to know that it is possible to fill our days with outings from Settle. We will be there the first week in April. Hopefully that is after the "winter" season and transport will be more reliable.

You might also want to visit Skipton, a pleasant little market town a short train (or bus) ride from Settle. http://www.skiptonweb.co.uk/index.htm. But do visit on Market Day (Mon, Wed, Fri or Sat) when the main street is lined with stalls. There is also a castle you can visit and you could even sample a barge trip on the canal. Plenty of pubs too!

You could consider a couple of nights in Settle to see the western area and then a couple of nights in the Harrogate / Knaresborough area to see more of the eastern side, including the towns themselves, Nidderdale, Ripon, Fountains Abbey, Ripley Castle etc etc...

Thanks again, to all of you who responded to our question. You have given us some good tips. We have finally decided to stay in Settle all four nights and will now do some serious exploring of day trips from there.

A journey on the Settle-Carlisle railway is a MUST! The rail service runs throughout the year(except Christmas Day) and last year was the only line still running into and out of Leeds during one afternoon of exceptional snow! The scenery is superb and Carlisle is a lovely historic border city, with lots to see and an excellent, pedetrianised, shopping centre. Or you could stop off at Appleby, a pretty little town on the lovely river Eden, also with lots of history. In the other direction you could visit Skipton, as already suggested. Settle is lucky to possess two stations on different lines. If you fancied some sea air, from Giggleswick you can travel up to Morecambe, with its stunning views over Morecambe Bay to the Lake District.

Hi,have just read the replies here and agree with them. Settle makes a really good base BUT remember that public transport timetables change on the 1st April. We have been caught out once or twice .We live in Giggleswick , next to Settle, and use trains and buses for starting us out or bringing us back from long walks. Ask at Settle train station for transport advice. The Friends of Settle Railway produce some excellent info re: buses which connect with the trains back to Settle. Hope you enjoy our lovely area.

I know that you're not stopping long but if you wanted to visit a beautiful seaside village that has more or less stayed back in time the line from Giggleswick station connects with trains that stop at Arnside. If it's a lovely warm day, you can walk round the coast and cliffs and out on the clean sands of Morcambe Bay without too many people. It's a well kept secret and beautiful. It's a designated SSSI . However there is so much to see and do otherwise.

Where are you thinking of staying? for Pubs: recommend The Golden Lion in Settle or The Hart's Head , Giggleswick. Maybe we'll ven see you there!